Foot-wears, namely sport foot-wears, and production method thereof

ABSTRACT

The foot-wears according to the invention, in particular sport foot-wears, include a sole ( 3 ) of molded synthetic material, within which internal stiffening means ( 4 ) are provided. The stiffening means include at least an insert ( 4 ) of thread-like form, or anyway of thin and elongated form, defining a plurality of intermediate bends ( 4 A); the intermediate bends ( 4 A) define, along the development of the insert ( 4 ), two or more stretches ( 4 B,  4 D) which extend side by side in at least a zone of the sole ( 3 ); the stretches ( 4 B,  4 D) arranged side by side extend in a substantially longitudinal direction or in a transverse direction with respect to the sole ( 3 ), depending upon the type of stiffening which is desired for the aforesaid zone.

The present invention refers to the field of foot-wears, in particularsport foot-wears, and to a method for the production of foot-wears.

In order to comply with and improve the performances of some kinds offoot-wears (and namely those being used for sports like soccer, running,tennis) the use is known of soles made of synthetic material, which arestiffened in one or more respective areas.

At the present state of the art, the cited stiffening is obtained byproviding more or less rigid inserts within the body of the sole, suchinserts being made of synthetic material of the same type of the oneused for molding the sole.

Said known solution, besides determining a certain increase of theoverall weight of the sole, and therefore of the footwear, involvesadditional manufacturing costs, which are determined by the necessity ofpreventively mold the components of synthetic material destined toconstitute the above cited inserts.

The mentioned prior art does present, above all, the drawback of causingbreakings between the base body of the sole and the stiffening insert orinserts being envisaged.

The present invention has the aim of solving the aforesaiddisadvantages.

Within this frame, an aim of the invention is that of obtainingfoot-wears whose soles, even if lightweight and having the optimaldegree of rigidity in the desired zones, result of more solidconstruction than those which can be obtained according to the presentstate of the art; a further aim of the invention is that of indicating amethod that allows for manufacturing in a simple and cheap way suchfoot-wears.

These and still other aims, that will turn out mainly clear in thefollowing, are attained according to the present invention by thefoot-wears and the method for manufacturing foot-wears having thefeatures of the annexed claims, which are to be meant as an integralpart of the present description.

Further purposes, characteristics and advantages of the presentinvention will emerge clearly from the ensuing detailed description andfrom the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way ofexplanatory and non-limiting example and in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a sport footwear obtainedaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 represents a plan view of a member of the sole of the footwear ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents a schematic longitudinal section of the sole of thefootwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 represents a schematic longitudinal section of the sole of afootwear obtained according to a first possible variant embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 5 represents a plan view of a member of the sole of a footwearobtained according to a second possible variant embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 represents a schematic longitudinal section of a soleincorporating the member of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 represents a plan view of a member of the sole of a footwearobtained according to a third possible variant embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 8 represents a schematic longitudinal section of a soleincorporating the member of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 represents a plan view of two members of the sole of a footwearobtained according to a fourth possible variant embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10 represents a schematic longitudinal section of a soleincorporating the members of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 represents a plan view of two members of the sole of a footwearobtained according to a fifth possible variant embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 12 represents a schematic longitudinal section of a soleincorporating the two members of FIG. 11.

In FIG. 1, reference 1 indicates a footwear as a whole, of the typeenvisaged for playing soccer or football, the footwear 1 beingmanufactured according to the invention; footwear 1 comprises an upper 2and a sole 3, which are mutually joined in a known manner, for exampleby sticking.

The way for manufacturing the upper 2 does not pertain to the purposesof the present invention, and consequently it will not be described andillustrated in detail. Sole 3 is made of synthetic material, such aspolyurethane, and has a plurality of fixed studs 3Á.

According to the present invention, molding of sole 3 is performed suchthat, in the synthetic material constituting the sole, at least ametallic insert is drowned, being suitably shaped in order to confer adesired degree of rigidity to at least a zone of the sole 3, andeventually for guaranteeing, at the same time, a given degree offlexibility to at least another zone of the same sole.

In FIG. 2 a first possible embodiment of the cited insert isrepresented, which is indicated with 4 as a whole; the insert 4 has afiliform or thread-like form, or anyway a thin and elongated form; tothis purpose, insert 4 can be obtained starting from a usual wire,preferably made of steel.

As it can be noticed, along the development of the thread-like insert 4,a plurality of intermediate bends are defined, indicated with 4A, so asto form a plurality of substantially rectilinear stretches, indicatedwith 4B. In the case illustrated in FIG. 2, the insert 4 is providedwith three intermediate bends 4A, so as to form four stretches 4B; inthe exemplified case, moreover, also the longitudinal ends of the insert4 has terminal bends 4C.

In FIG. 3 a schematic section of sole 3 of footwear 1 of FIG. 1 isillustrated, in which there are also highlighted the positions of anumber of fixed studs 3A.

As it can be noticed in such a figure, stretches 4B of the thread-likeinsert 4 extend mostly in the medial zone of sole 3, in the lengthdirection of the latter and in side by side relationship; such anarrangement of the stretches 4B allows for providing the medial zone ofsole 3, which has no studs, with an optimal rigidity in the lengthwisedirection.

From FIG. 3 it is also possible to notice how nearly all theintermediate bends 4A and 4C of the insert 4 are positioned incorrespondence of respective studs 3A of the sole 3, for the reasonsthat will be made clear in the following.

In FIG. 4 a schematic section is represented of a sole 30 obtainedaccording to a possible variant embodiment of the present invention, andnamely a sole of the type being provided with metallic joints orconnections 3B, each having a respective central threaded hole, withinwhich there can be screwed a replaceable studs, of known construction,not represented here.

Within sole 30 of FIG. 4 there is integrated the same thread-like insert4 as shown in FIG. 2; also in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 4 it ispossible to notice how the main part of the intermediate and terminalbends 4A and 4C of insert 4 are positioned in correspondence ofrespective connections 3B of the sole 30; moreover, also in this case,the stretches 4A extend longitudinally and side by side in the medialzone of sole 30.

In FIG. 5 an alternative embodiment is represented, of a thread-likeinsert envisaged according to the invention, whereas FIG. 6 represents asole 3 comprising such an insert. It should be appreciated that in suchfigures the same reference numbers of the previous figures are used, forindicating elements being technically equivalents to those previouslymentioned.

In the thread-like insert 4 of FIG. 5 three zones or portions can beseen, indicated with P, M and A respectively. In portion P, besides anend bends 4C, the insert 4 has two intermediate bends 4A, to definethree stretches 4D that extend substantially transversally to thelongitudinal development of sole 3.

Portion P is followed, after an intermediate bend 4A′ having a wideradius, by portion M, within which four intermediate bends 4A areprovided, so as to define five stretches 4B that extend substantiallylongitudinally and side by side in the medial zone of sole 3.

Portion M is followed, after a new intermediate bend 4A′ having a wideradius, by portion A; the latter has, besides an end bend 4C, sixintermediate bends 4A, that define seven transversal stretches 4D.

As it can be perceived also from FIG. 6, portions P, M and A areprovided for constituting stiffening means of the rear zone, the medialzone and the front zone of sole 3, respectively.

As to portion P and, above all, portion A of the thread-like insert 4 ofFIG. 5, it has to be noticed how the arrangement of the stretches 4Dallows for preventing transverse torsions of the respective zones ofsole 3, however allowing the necessary flexibility of the same zones inthe longitudinal direction.

In the specific case of foot-wears equipped with studs, each stretch 4Dextends just between two points of the sole in correspondence ofrespective studs which are placed side by side in the transversedirection, so as to obtain stiffening bridges between said studs.

Also in the case being represented in FIG. 6, the main part of bendswhich are provided in the thread-like insert 4 are positioned incorrespondence of respective studs 3A of sole 3.

FIGS. 7 and 8 represent respectively a thread-like insert 4, beingsubstantially similar to that one represented in FIG. 5, and a sole 30equipped with such an insert; also in said figures the same referencenumbers of the previous figures are used, for indicating elements beingtechnically equivalents to those already described.

As it can be seen, the thread-like insert 4 of FIGS. 7 and 8 has asmaller number of intermediate bends 4A, with respect to the case ofFIGS. 5 and 6, to define a more reduced number of transverse stretches4D for the rear and front zones of sole 30.

In the embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 9 and 10, a sole 3 isequipped with, besides an insert 4 for stiffening the medial zone, of afurther and distinct insert 5 for stiffening the front zone of the sole.

Also in the case of the insert 4 of FIG. 9 there are provided, inaddition to two end bends 4C, a series of intermediate bends 4A, some ofwhich having a wide radius, which are envisaged for obtaining both aplurality of substantially longitudinal stretches 4B and two transverseend stretches 4D, which realize respective stiffening bridges betweenpairs of studs 3. On the other hand, insert 5 has, in addition to twoend bends 4C, some intermediate bends 4C that define a series ofstretches 4D extending transversally in the sole 3.

As it can be imagined, also in the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and10, the thread-like insert 5 allows for stiffening the front zone ofsole 3 in the transverse direction, by means of the stretches 4D,however providing the same zone with the necessary flexibility in thelongitudinal direction.

Also in the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12 there are provided:

-   -   an insert 4, envisaged either for longitudinally stiffening the        medial zone of sole 30, and for obtaining two transverse        stiffening bridges for stud pairs adjacent to such a medial        zone,    -   a further and distinct transverse stiffening insert 5 for the        front zone of sole 30, having the already mentioned purposes.

In the case represented in FIGS. 11 and 12, the development of the citedinserts 4 and 5 is closed, i.e., the inserts do not have respectiveends. In such an embodiment, insert 4 has four intermediate bends 4A, todefine two longitudinal stretches 4B and two transverse stretches 4D,while insert 5 has only two bends 4A, to define two transverse stretches4D.

The manufacturing process of the soles pertaining to the foot-wearsaccording to the invention is very simple, and is obtained byover-molding the body in synthetic material of the soles on the insertor inserts being envisaged.

To this purpose, a wire is worked with means in themselves known, inorder to shape the insert 4, i.e., so as to present at least theintermediate bends 4A, between which the stretches 4B are defined sideby side; the thus obtained insert 4 is then arranged within a moldenvisaged for obtaining the sole 3 or 30, so that the cited stretches 4Barranged side by side are substantially positioned in the medial zone ofthe sole to be obtained, in the longitudinal direction of the latter.

Insert 5, if envisaged, is obtained with a technique similar to the oneused for obtaining insert 4; said insert 5 is inserted within the citedmold in correspondence of the front zone of the sole to be obtained, andso as that its stretches 4D are arranged transversally with respect tothe longitudinal development of the sole to be obtained.

If said sole is of the type equipped with studs, the insert 4, and thelikely insert 5, is positioned within the mold in such a way that atleast some of the respective bends 4A are arranged in correspondence ofinner pins of the mold, envisaged for shaping the studs 3, or incorrespondence of the threaded connections 3B, which can be alreadyinserted at least partially in the mold; the presence of the mentionedpins or connections 3B allows for positioning with precision the insert4 and/or 5 within the respective mold.

The synthetic or thermoplastic material is then injected within themold, in order to form the sole, said operation being performed in aknown manner.

It should be noticed that the inserts 4, 5 envisaged according to theinvention can be obtained by means of the simple deformation of athread-like element, and therefore in a faster and cheaper way than themolding of member in thermoplastic material as in the prior art; theproduction starting from a thread-like element also allows forobtaining, in a simple and quick way, inserts 4, 5 of any shape.

In the examples previously described the inserts 4 and 5 are integratedin a lower sole, i.e., the part of the footwear destined to restdirectly on the ground; the invention is however directly applicablealso for obtaining intermediate soles or insoles.

From the given description the characteristics of the foot-wearsaccording to the present invention and the respective manufacturingmethod are clear, which characteristics are further detailed in theannexed claims.

From the given description also the advantages of the invention areclear. In particular it has to be emphasized that the soles of thedescribed foot-wears turn out

-   -   of simple and cheap manufacturing,    -   of reduced weight, even if they are structurally more solid than        those obtainable according to the prior art,    -   endowed of the desired degree of rigidity in the medial zone.

Naturally, the principle of the invention being understood, theconstructional details and forms of embodiment could be extensivelychanged with respect to that described and illustrated, by way ofexample, without leaving the scope of this invention as defined by theenclosed claims.

Within this frame, it should be considered that the attached drawingsare aimed at illustrating only some of the several possible embodimentsof the invention; the thickness, the material and the configuration ofthe envisaged thread-like inserts might therefore differ in function ofthe requirements, based on the specific foot-wears studied for any sportdiscipline or for different uses (i.e., not for sport).

1. A foot-wear comprising a sole (3; 30) made of synthetic material, thesole (3; 30) having a rearfoot region, a forefoot region and a instepregion between the rearfoot and the forefoot regions, each of saidregions having two respective lateral portions and one medial portionbetween the lateral portions, each of said portions extending in alongitudinal direction of the sole (3; 30); sole stiffening meanscomprising a one-piece insert consisting of a wire member (4) having alength and being shaped to define a first end portion (A) of the insert,a second end portion (P) of the insert and an intermediate portion (M)of the insert between the first and second end portions thereof (A, P),the wire member (4) having a plurality of intermediate bends (4A) todefine a plurality of wire portions (4B, 4D) along the length of thewire member (4); wherein the intermediate portion (M) of the insertincludes a plurality of first intermediate bends (4A) of the wire member(4) to define at least one pair of first wire portions (4B) arrangedside by side in a transverse direction of the sole (3; 30), the firstwire portions (4B) of the respective pair being consecutive andseparated from each other by a respective one of said first intermediatebends (4A), the first wire portions (4B) extending in the medial portionof said instep region of the sole (3; 30) in a substantiallylongitudinal direction of the sole (3; 30); and wherein the first endportion (A) of the insert includes a plurality of second intermediatebends (4A) of the wire member (4) to define at least one pair of secondwire portions (4D) arranged side by side in longitudinal direction ofthe sole (3; 30), the second wire portions (4D) of the respective pairbeing consecutive and separated from each other by a respective one ofsaid second intermediate bends (4A), the second wire portions (4D)extending between the lateral portions of a respective one of saidrearfoot and forefoot regions, to cross the medial portion thereof, in asubstantially transverse direction of the sole (3; 30).
 2. The foot-wearaccording to claim 1, wherein the first end portion (A) of the insert isat said forefoot region of the sole (3; 30) and the second end portion(P) of the insert is at said rearfoot region of the sole (3; 30), thesecond end portion (P) of the insert including at least one third wireportion (4D) extending between the lateral portions of said rearfootregion, to cross the medial portion thereof, in a substantiallytransverse direction of the sole (3; 30).
 3. The foot-wear according toclaim 1, wherein the sole (3; 30) has an outer peripheral edge and theinsert does not extends beyond said edge.
 4. The foot-wear according toclaim 1, wherein the wire member (4) has two longitudinal ends, one endbeing at the first end portion (A) of the insert and the other end beingat the second end portion (P) of the insert.
 5. The foot-wear accordingto claim 1, wherein the wire member (4) has two longitudinal ends andhas a respective bend (4C) at each of said ends.
 6. The foot-wearaccording to claim 1, wherein the sole (3; 30) has lower studs (3A; 3B)and the insert is arranged such that a plurality of the bends (4A, 4C)of the wire member (4) are each at a position corresponding to arespective one of said studs (3A; 3B).
 7. The foot-wear according toclaim 1, wherein said first intermediate bends (4A) are substantiallyC-shaped or U-shaped bends or V-shaped.
 8. The foot-wear according toclaim 1, wherein said second intermediate bends (4A) are substantiallyC-shaped or U-shaped bends or V-shaped.
 9. The foot-wear according toclaim 1, wherein said first end portion (A) of the insert is at saidforefoot region of the sole (3; 30) and includes at least four of saidsecond intermediate bends (4A) of the wire member (4), to define atleast five of said second wire portions (4D) forming four of said pairs,each of said at least four second wire portions (4D) extending betweenthe lateral portions of said forefoot region, to cross the medialportion thereof, in a substantially transverse direction of the sole (3;30).
 10. The foot-wear according to claim 1, wherein said intermediateportion (M) of the insert includes two of said first intermediate bends(4A) of the wire member (4), to define at least three of said first wireportions (4B) forming two of said pairs, each of said first wireportions (4B) extending in the medial portion of the instep region ofthe sole (3; 30) in a substantially longitudinal direction of the sole(3; 30).
 11. The foot-wear according to claim 2, wherein said second endportion (P) of the insert includes a single said third wire portion (4D)extending between the lateral portions of said rearfoot region, to crossthe medial portion thereof, in a substantially transverse direction ofthe sole (3; 30).
 12. The foot-wear according to claim 1, wherein thewire member (4) is a metal wire.
 13. The foot-wear according to claim 1,wherein said second wire portions (4B) are substantially rectilinear.14. The foot-wear according to claim 1, wherein said first wire portions(4B) are substantially rectilinear.
 15. The foot-wear according to claim2, wherein said at least one third wire portion (4B) is substantiallyrectilinear.
 16. The foot-wear according to claim 1, wherein the sole(3; 30) is a lower sole of the foot-wear.
 17. The foot-wear according toclaim 1, wherein the sole (3; 30) is an intermediate sole of thefoot-wear.
 18. A foot-wear comprising a sole (3; 30) made of syntheticmaterial, the sole (3; 30) having a rearfoot region, a forefoot regionand an instep region between the rearfoot and the forefoot regions, eachof said regions having two respective lateral portions and one medialportion between the lateral portions, each of said portions extending ina longitudinal direction of the sole (3; 30); sole stiffening meanscomprising a one-piece insert consisting of a wire member (4) having alength and being shaped to define a first end portion (A) of the insert,a second end portion (P) of the insert and an intermediate portion (M)of the insert between the first and second end portions thereof (A, P),the wire member (4) having a plurality of bends (4A) to define aplurality of wire portions (4B, 4D) along the length thereof; whereinthe intermediate portion (M) of the insert includes a plurality of firstintermediate bends (4A) of the wire member (4) to define at least onepair of first wire portions (4B) arranged side by side in a transversedirection of the sole (3; 30), the first wire portions (4B) of therespective pair being consecutive and separated from each other by arespective one of said first intermediate bends (4A), the first wireportions (4B) extending in the medial portion of said instep region ofthe sole (3; 30) in a substantially longitudinal direction of the sole(3; 30); wherein the first end portion (A) of the insert includes aplurality of second intermediate bends (4A) of the wire member (4) todefine at least one pair of second wire portions (4D) arranged side byside in a longitudinal direction of the sole (3; 30), the second wireportions (4D) of the respective pair being consecutive and separatedfrom each other by a respective one of said second intermediate bends(4A), the second wire portions (4D) extending side by side between thelateral portions of said forefoot region, to cross the medial portionthereof, in a substantially transverse direction of the sole (3; 30);and wherein the second end portion (P) of the insert is at said rearfootregion of the sole (3; 30) and included at least one third wire portion(4D) extending between the lateral portions of said rearfoot region, tocross the medial portion thereof, in a substantially transversedirection of the sole (3; 30).
 19. The foot-wear according to claim 18,wherein said second intermediate bends (4A) are substantially C-shapedor U-shaped bends or V-shaped.
 20. The foot-wear according to claim 19,wherein the sole (3; 30) has an outer peripheral edge and the insertdoes not extends beyond said edge.